Online

Boilers Johnson, IU's Replogle also could be drafted

Kawann Short figures to become a millionaire in the near future. That much we know entering tonight's NFL Draft.

Everything else remains unclear.

The former Purdue standout is set to be the highest drafted player among the Boilers and Indiana. He is a 6-3, 299-pound defensive tackle who, if he can sustain consistent effort, projects as a solid pro player.

Short is expected to go in the second round, which means he won't hear his name until Friday, when the NFL conducts its second and third rounds. Tonight is for the first round. Saturday is for rounds four through seven.

Short is rated as the No. 40 player by NFL.com's Mike Mayock. NFLDraftscout.com has him at No. 59 and the No. 7 defensive tackle.

Mayock writes that Short has NFL size and length who “can be as good as he wants to be,” has “good upper body strength to rip off his man and make plays in the run game,” has a “good burst to the ball” and is “capable of pushing his man into the backfield.”

As far as weaknesses, Mayock said Shirt “gets fooled by misdirection,” “doesn't have closing speed to chase plays away from the trenches,” and his “play-to-play effort is questionable; he stands around to watch the play too often.”

NFLDraftscout.com's Rob Rang called Short a “disruptive player” who “showed determination and team-first attitude in playing through an ankle injury in 2012. Can be a immovable object in the middle when he plays disciplined and generates power from his lower body.”

Rang also wrote that Short “too often gives streaky effort and doesn't consistently play with leverage. Scouts want to see more of a mean streak and less passiveness.”

Short totaled 48 career tackles for loss at Purdue. Last year he had 14.5 tackles for loss and six sacks while battling that ankle injury. He earned first-team All-Big Ten honors and made second-team All-America

Another Boilermaker with a shot at getting drafted is cornerback Josh Johnson. He, too, was invited to the Combine, but his 40-yard dash didn't impress. His 4.65-second time was the slowest of all 33 cornerbacks, and the eighth worst among all defensive backs.

Johnson was much better at the Purdue Pro Day, running a 4.4. NFLDraftscout.com rates him as the No. 26 cornerback and the No. 216 player overall. He projects as a sixth or seventh round pick.

Johnson was a playmaker for the Boilers. His 31 career pass break ups rank fifth in school history. He broke up nine passes last year with two interceptions.

NFLDraftscout.com describes Johnson as “quick footed, coordinated and smooth,” and that he's “physical in bump-and-run coverage and aggressively won't back down to anyone.” He also “drives fast on the ball with very good ball awareness and confidence and is not often fooled.”

The major questions surround his “lack of elite speed” and his tendency to use his hands when the receiver gains an advantage.

Indiana defensive tackle Adam Replogle, who was not invited to the NFL Combine, might be a draft surprise. The 6-3, 299 pounder benched pressed 225 pounds an impressive 38 times (that tied the best at the Combine at any position) and ran a 5.08 40-yard dash with a 31 ½-inch vertical jump in front of scouts from eight teams at IU's pro day.

NFLDraftscout.com's Dane Brugler wrote, “Replogle isn't the most fluid big man, but he only knows one play speed (fast) and has proven to be effective when properly using his hands to fight off blocks... The NFL will love his work ethic and motor.”

Replogle was a second-team All-Big Ten performer last season. He had 13 tackles for loss and 5.0 tackles. His 15 career sacks rank ninth in school history.

NFLDraftscout.com rated Replogle as the No. 25 defensive tackle and No. 304 player overall. He projects as either a sixth- or seventh-round pick, or a free agent.

Purdue also has three others players who project as possible free agents: Robert Marve (the No. 26 quarterback by NFLDraftscout.com), Akeem Shavers (the No. 46 running back) and Robert Maci (the No. 65 defensive end).

So what kind of money are these guys looking at?

Basically, if you make a team at the minimum rookie salary, you'll make a little over $400,000 a year (plus a signing bonus), with contracts set for three years, and an option for a fourth. If you're a second round pick it will be perhaps $750,000 a year. A third round pick will be around $550,000.

The Kansas City Chiefs, which have the No. 1 pick, figure to pay a $14 million bonus to their first choice, plus an annual salary.